Water heating and distributing system.



No. 7|3,504. Patented Nov. Il, |902-,

G. C. SAVAGE.

WATER HEATING AND -DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

(Application filed Apr, 28, 1902.)

(No Model.)

Quorum@ y m: Nrms Firms co. :novum-mo.. wnsmnaToN. o. c.

Unirse Srnrns PATENT OFFICE.

GILES CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

WATER HEATING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

SIEGEFCATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 713,504, dated November11, 1902.

Application iiled April 23,1902.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GrLns CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Nashville, Davidson county, State ofTennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WaterHeating and Distributing Systems, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to Water heating and distributing systems, and moreespecially to such systems as are used in houses for supplying hot waterand for heating purposes.

My objects are to provide a system of this character in which thecold-water supply may be conducted to the hot-water back in the furnaceor range or like heating structure before entering the tank or reservoirand in which two circuits may be provided, whereby the water may bereadily heated in the reservoir in the quickest and most efficientmanner, through which it is circulated by means of the short circuit andthen distributed through the long circuit to the various pointsdesired-such as to washstands, sinks, bathtubs, and radiators; toprovide means for preventing the thumping and bubbling of the water inthe tank or reservoir due to excessive superlieatng of the water; toprovide means for preventing the drawing off or siphoning of the waterfrom the cylinder or reservoir when the cold-water supply is shut off,and to provide an improved controlling means for readily controlling thecourse of the water through either of the two circuits in such a waythat no interference with the circulation in either circuit will occurwhen such controlling means are operated to change the course of thewater through the system.

lVith these objects in View my invention consists in the novelconstruction and details thereof, as hereinafter more fully describedand more particularly pointed out in 'the claims, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l is a sectional elevation of anapparatus embodyingr my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionalview of my improved controlling-valve on the line 2 2, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 isa sectional plan view of the same, and Fig. 4 is a detail of amodification.

In the drawings, in which the same reference characters relate to thesame or corre- Serial No 104.335. (No model.)

spending parts in all the views, the letter A indicates a stand-boileror reservoir, which is connected to a cold-water supply through a pipeB, preferably passing downwardly through said reservoir andcommunicating through a pipe F to the hot-water back K, the latter beingof any suitable form and located in the usual way in the range orfurnace. The pipe F may be designated the common return-pipe, as itconnects with the return of both circuits, as will be seen from thedescription to follow.

It will be observed that instead of discharging directly into the boileror reservoir A, as is common in this type of water-heaters, thecold-water-supply pipe B communicates first with the hot-water backthrough the pipe F, and the latter is connected through a branch pipe C,forming the hot-water inlet, to the side of the boiler a short distanceabove the bottom. A pipe D leads from the bottom of the reservoir into avalve casing or chamber, to which the pipe F is connected. There is thusprovided what I term the short circuit7 of my heating system, wherebythe cold water passes through the pipe B to the pipe F, the hot-waterback K, and the pipe C, through the reservoir A, down through the pipeD, forming the return of the short circuit, the valve-casing b, andthence through the pipe F. This water, it will be observed, is heated onits way through the hot-water back and passing into the reservoir risesto the top, the cold water in said reservoir descending and passingthrough the short circuit in the same manner. y

The pipe leading to what I term the long circuitthat is, thedistributing-circuit of the system, which supplies the hot water to thevarious points desired for the purposes specified-connects with the topof the reservoir and is led in the usual way through the house, asindicated by E. Branch pipes connect the said main pipe with, forexample, the sink G, the washstand I-I, the bath-tub i, and the radiatorJ, and the return of said distributing-pipe then leads back to theValvecasing h, common to the pipes F and D. In the valve-casing, whichhas two ports communicating with the returns of the pipes D and E, Iplace a valve so arranged that it will in one extreme position entirelyclose valve.

the pipe E, thereby cutting o the long circuit, and in the other extremeposition entirely close the pipe D, thereby shutting o the shortcircuit, so that a full opening for the circulation of water is providedeither through the long or short circuit. Vhen the valve occupiesintermediate positions, one pipe will be partially open and the otherclosed t0 the same extent, so that the circulation may be distributedthrough both pipes or circuits, and at all times, therefore, there is afull opening for the circulation of the water-that is to say, an openingequal to the cross-sectional area of the pipe. I effect thisresult bywhat I term a double-circuit valve, (shown in Figs. 2 and 3,) in whichthe letter V represents the valve-stem, from which project two armsterminating in disks S and S of sufficient diameter to cover the openingin either the pipes E or D. The openings or ports leading to the twopipes E and D are on the same side of the diametrical line of thevalvecasing within which the valve is rotated, so that when the valve ismoved one disk will uncover the opening to one pipe as the other diskcloses the opening to the other pipe and to the same extent. Forexample, in Fig. 3, in the position indicated by the lines 5 4, the

valve-disk S' completely covers the openingA to the pipe D, while thevalve S fully uncovers the opening to the pipe E, and in theI p0- sitionindicated by lines 6 7 the reverse condition exists, while it ismanifest that in intermediate positions the two pipes will be partiallyopened and closed. Suitable stops 1 are provided for limiting themovements of the The valve-stem V projects through a stuffing-box in thecap Z to close the valvecasing, said stufing-box having any suitablepackingYand covered bya cap Z', and a stud Q1 engages a recess in thevalve-seat to assist in maintaining the valve in proper position, thestem turning in the bearings aorded by the cap and the said recess.Attached to the stem is a handle Q, preferably located in the same planewith the line passing diametrically through the two valve-disks, wherebythe positions of the said disk may be readily indicated by the positionof the said handle.

In order to prevent the drawing off of the water from the reservoir A bya siphoning action when the cold-water supply is shut oif at the streetor in the basement or the supply diminished from any cause, such as thebursting of the service-pipe or an unusual demand from other sources, Ipreferably provide the pipe B with a small orifice a, which furnishescommunication between the pipe and the reservoir or boiler near theupper portion thereof, whereby airin the tank above the water-level willenter the pipe B and break the siphoning action. The orifice u, and theinlet to the distributing-supply pipe E being below the top of theboiler, as shown in the drawings, an air-cham ber is formed between thelevel of the water in the boiler and the top thereof, from which the airis supplied to In order to prevent the thumping and bubbling of thewater in' the tank when it becomes superheated, I provide areliefcircuit for the water, consisting of a pipe M in communicationwith a branch-pipe C and the hotwater back and connecting with theboiler or reservoir through the long circuit-pipe above the tank at g.This pipe M may be provided with a two-way valve h, which is closedwhenever there is no fire, or the said valve h may be omitted and myimproved double-circuit valve inserted at the junction of the pipe Cwith the pipe M, as indicated'in Fig. 4.-. This valve when operated toopen communication to the reservoir through the branch pipe C will ofcourse close communication through the pipe M, and vice versa, and, asabove indicated, when there is no iire it should be so placed as to opencommunication through the pipe C to the tank and close the pipe M.

The pipe M is, in fact, a continuation of the pipe leading from thehot-water back and the pipe C a branch connecting the pipe M with thereservoir. When the water becomes excessively hot, it is obvious that itwill be carried up through M and down into the reservoir if the longcircuit is closed, or if the latter is opened it will pass through thepipe E and valve-casing b, return-circuit F, and the water-back. Thispipe M, therefore, not only prevents thumpingor bubbling, but alsofacilitates the flow through the pipe E. The heater is therefore notonly in circuit with the boiler, but is in independent circuit with thedistributing system as well.

It is obvious that I may also use my doublecircuit valve to control thecircuit `to the various points where the water is neededsuch as thesink, bath-tub, washstand, 850;- and in Fig. l I have indicated thisvalve applied to the main pipe at its point of connection withafaucetless sink and with the radiator and at such point it operates inthe same manner as above described, the return from the radiator beingthrough j to the pipe E. It should be observed that it is of particularutility in connection with a radiator, for it is 'obvious that by itsuse there the whole of the hot waterin the long circuit maybe passedthrough the radiator, or the radiator may be cut oft, or said circuitmay be divided, a part passing through the radiator and a part passingonto the circuit back to the hot-water back, as desired. I should addthat, with my system or circulation when a radiator is in circuit, asshown, there is no need of the usual expansion-tank at the top of thesystem.V It will be observed that when the relief-circuit M is open andthe pipe O closed and the long circuit closed the circulation of waterwill take place through the pipe M, downwardly through the union g withthe pipe E into the reservoir, and in such case the relief- IOO IIO

circuit acts to heat the water the same as a short circuit. This pipe M,as above indicated, should be closed when there is no ire, because whenany hot water is drawn from any distributing-point from the longcircuit, if the said pipe M were open, the result would vbe a flow ofcold water through Minto E and out at the open vent at the point ofdistributionsuch as the bath-tub, sink, or washstand-whereas if thispipe M were closed the opening of a valve at any of the points indicatedwill permit the drawing of water from the reservoir, such water,itisassumed, being still in a heated condition.

By using my improved valve mechanism as a controlling means fordirecting the current to the point desired, either through the long orshort circuit, I provide a means of safety in the circuit of the system,because there is at all times an opening for the free circulation of thewater equal to the area of one of the pipes, and by connectingl theradiator with the main pipe in the long circuit by suchcontrolling-valve I provide not only for an efficient control ot thequantity of water passing through the radiator, and thereby control theamount of heat radiated therefrom, but I also provide for as rapidcirculation through the radiator as through any part of the long orshort circuit when the valve is fully opened to divert the current inthe long circuit through such radiator, and by so connecting thecold-water pipe with the hot-water back as to direct the Coldwater intosaid heating device before it enters the reservoir and by the use of mysafety double-circuit valve in connection with the two circuits I notonly facilitate the superheating of the water in the reservoir, but alsoincrease the rapidity of circulation of the hot water through thesystem.

Connecting the pipe M with the long circuit and leading it directly fromthe hot-water back insures a very rapid circulation of hot water throughthe long circuit when desired. By closing the short circuit and openingthe long circuit the hot water in such cases passes directly through thepipe M into the pipe E, through the valve-casing to the pipe F, into thehot-water baclr, and thence into the pipev M,lany hot water drawn fromany point being immediately replaced by the iow ot cold water into thepipe F. The connection of the cold-water pipe to the common return-pipeF provides static pressure, which greatly facilitates the circulation ofhot water through either circuit.

It will be understood from the foregoing that when it is desired to heatthe water in the boiler or reservoir A the long circuit is closed by thevalve Vin the casing b and the short circuit open through the pipe D,the system being illed with water. The circulation due to the heating ofthe water in the hot-water back is then confined to the short circuit,thereby rapidly heating the water in the reservoir. When this water issu fticiently heated, the short circuit is closed and the long circuitopened by operating the valve V, whereupon the hot water passes upwardlythrough the pipe E, through the long circuit, through the return end tothe Valve-casing, thence through the pipe F and hot-water back. Anywithdrawal of water from any distributing-point will immediately befollowed by the introduction of water from the cold-water-supply pipe.Vhenever there is any evidence of bubbling or hammering in the reservoirdue to the excessive superheating of the water, it is only necessary toopen the pipe M, whereupon the water will pass immediately through thepipe C, upwardly through M, and thence downwardly through through thepipe E, if open, during which course the water will become sufficientlycool to obviate all objection, and I nd in practice that thisconstruction etfectually avoids this serious objection.

I claim as my inventionl. In a water heating and distributing system,the combination of a reservoir, a waterheater, two systems of pipes, oneforming a short circuit between the reservoir and heater, and the othera long circuit extending beyond the reservoir and heater, and a commonreturn orminga part of both circuits, andvalve mechanism whereby watermay be caused to flow through either circuit, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination of areservoir, a waterheater, a system of pipes, one forming a short circuitbetween the reservoir and heater, and theother a long circuit extendingbeyond the reservoir and heater, a pipe common to the two circuits, anda valve in said pipe arranged to divide the flow of water through thesystem between the two circuits, substantially as described.

3. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with areservoir, of a hot-water back, a cold-water-supply pipe connected tosaid hot-water back, pipes connecting the reservoir with the hot-waterback and constituting a short circuit for heating and circulating thewater through the water-back and the reservoir, a pipe forming a part ofa long circuit leading from the upper portion of the reservoir to thedistributing-points and having its return connected with the shortcircuit, and a Valve for controlling the passage ot' water from thereturn ot' either circuit, substantially as described.

4. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with areservoir, of a hot-water back communicating with the reservoir at twopoints to establish a short circuit for circulation of water through thehotwater back and the reservoir, a cold-watersupply pipe connected tothe return of the short circuit, a distributing-pipe forming a part of along circuit leading from the upper portion of the reservoir andhavingits return the union g of the pipe E into the tank or IOO IIO

connected with the return of the short circuit, and a valve at thejunction of the two returns for controlling at will the passage of waterfrom the two returns, substantially as described.

5. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with areservoir, of a hot-water back, a cold-water-supply pipe connectedthereto, means providing a short circuit between the hot-water back andthe reservoir and a long circuit between said waterback and reservoirfor distribution,and means for controlling` at will the circulation ofwater through either circuit, substantially as described.

6. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination of aboiler, a heater in circuit with the boiler, a distributing system incircuit with said heater, said system also being in independent circuitwith the heater, substantially as described. A

7. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with areservoir or boiler, of a hot-water back communicating with thereservoir, and a cold-water-supply pipe passing downwardly through theboiler and connected to the hot-water back, said pipe having an oriiiceopening into the boiler near the upper portion thereof, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a water heating and distributing systeun, the combination with ahot-water back, of a reservoir or boiler, a pipe leading from thehot-water back into the upper portion of the boiler, a branch pipebetween said pipe and the side of the boiler, a return-pipe connectingthe bottom of the boiler with the water-back, a distributing-pipeleading from the upper portion of the boiler to the distributing pointor points and having its return connected to the-hot-water back, and acold-water-supply pipe connected to the hotwater back outside of theboiler, substantially as described.

9. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with astand-boiler or reservoir, of a hot-water back, a pipe connecting thehot-water back with the side of the boiler, a distributing-pipe leadingfrom the upper portion of the boiler to the distributing-points, acommon return-pipe connecting the return of the distributing-pipe andthe bottom of the boiler with the hotwater back, and a valve in saidcommon return for controlling the passage of water in a short circuitthrough the hot-water back and the boiler or in a long circuit throughthe hot-water back, boiler and distributingpipe, and a cold-water-supplypipe connected to the hot-water back, substantially as described.

10. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with astand-boiler or reservoir, of a hot-water back, a pipe connecting thehot-water back with the side of the boiler, a distributing-pipe leadingfrom the upper portion of the boiler to the distributing-points, acommon return-pipe connecting the return of the distributing-pipe andthe bottom of the boiler with the hotwater back, and a valve in saidcommon return for controlling the passage of water in a short circuitthrough the hot-water back and the boiler or in a long circuit throughthe hot-water back, boiler and distributingpipe, and a cold-water-supplypipe communicating with the hot-water back through said common return,substantially as described.

11. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with areservoir or boiler, of a hot-Water back, a pipe connecting thehot-water back with the side of the boiler, a valve-casing connected tothe hot-water back, a return-pipe connecting the bottom of the boilerwith said casing, a distributingpipe leading from the boiler to thedistributing point or points and having its return end enter thevalve-casing, and a Valve in said casing adapted to fully close eitherreturn and fully open the other, and a cold-watersupply pipe connectedto the hot-water back, substantially as described.

12. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with areservoir or boiler, of a hot-water back, a pipe connecting thehot-water back with the side of the boiler, a valve-casing connected tothe hot-water back, a return-pipe connecting the bottom of the boilerwith said casing, a distributingpipe leading from the boiler to thedistribu ting point or points and having its return end` entering thevalve-casing, and a valve in said casing adapted to fully close eitherreturn and fully open the other, and a pipe for supplying cold water tobe heated, substantially as described.

13. In a water heating and distributing system, the combination with areservoir and a water-heater, a cold-Water-supply pipe connectedthereto, of a Valve-casing communicating with the reservoir,distributing system and heater and having three ports, means providing ashort circuit between the waterheater and reservoir and a long circuitbetween said water-heater and reservoir for distribution, and a valve insaid casing arranged to control two of the ports and adapted to closeone to the same extent that it opens the other, whereby the current maybe fully directed through either of the circuits or divided between themin proportion to the opening of the ports to which the circuits areconnected, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GILES CHRISTOPHER SAVAGE.

Witnesses:

R. S. DoAK, G. H. SAVAGE.

IOO

IIO

IZO

